In memory of Dash Crofts, who passed away this week, I’m looking back at a 1973 classic that served as a "coming of age" anthem for so many of us. This song is a powerful reminder to seize the unique opportunities of every season of life. It’s a tribute to a legend and a celebration of my wife Teresa, who is my "journey's end."
Finding this week's song was incredibly timely as Teresa and I celebrate 15 years of marriage. Spencer Crandall’s "Marry Your Best Friend" perfectly captures the foundation of our relationship—the kind of love that knows your biggest dreams and darkest moments. As I reflect on our journey together, I’m reminded of how lucky I am to have a partner who is not only the love of my life but, as my 9-year-old son put it, my "meant to be."
This Friday’s song is a special one. Ever since seeing @brothersosborne open for the Zac Brown Band years ago, I’ve been struck by their grit and authenticity. Their track "Love The Lonely Out of You" is a masterclass in soulful support—a reminder of what it means to be a "safe harbor" for someone else. I’m reflecting on the people who have been that for me, especially my father's wife, Gloria Mozzicato, and my wife, Teresa.
Just finished Goodbye Mr. Boogie by Jake Needham, released this past July. In the latest Samuel Tay installment, the series shifts from its homicide roots into a high-stakes geopolitical minefield. When Tay is summoned to Bangkok by Colonel David, he isn't there to solve a murder—he’s there to thwart a shadowy assassin. With sharp prose and a "who is pulling the strings?" plot, this entry offers a droll, atmospheric look at modern Bangkok alongside the engaging Captain Beer.
Inspired by a Rick Beato video on the power of persistence, I'm diving into "Ordinary" by Alex Warren. It’s a song that shouldn't have been a hit according to the experts, but Warren’s relentless grit proved them wrong. Beyond the industry drama, the song explores a theme my son Ryan and I have been discussing lately: the pressure to be "extraordinary" while grappling with our own insecurities.
I stumbled onto this version of "The Parting Glass" by Face Vocal Band while listening to last week's song, and the harmonies absolutely floored me. As a traditional Irish and Scottish farewell, it’s a song about looking back on life's journey with a full heart and no regrets. As I look toward my own upcoming transition into retirement, this "goodnight and joy be with you all" sentiment feels like the perfect toast to the friends and family who have shared my road.
In the fourteenth installment of the Cork O’Connor series, William Kent Krueger takes a stark turn away from the traditional mystery. Tackling the brutal reality of sex trafficking among Native American women, the story moves from the woods of Aurora to the cold reaches of Lake Superior. Between a new POV character and an intense focus on spiritual evil, this "experimental" entry is the first in the series that made me question if I wanted to keep going.
Our latest watch has us back in New Orleans! We revisited Season 1 of Mayfair Witches to prep for the new season, and it’s been an interesting ride. From neurosurgery to ancient family curses, here’s how the show stacks up against our old favorites like True Blood.
As I prepare to transition into retirement in 2026, I thought "May the Road Rise" by the High Kings captured the spirit of new beginnings and the importance of those who walk the road with us. This modern take on a traditional Irish blessing by Nathan Carter and The High Kings is the perfect anthem for a fresh start. Join me as I reflect on leaving the "troubles of the world" behind to focus on a more intentional life filled with family, friends, and gratitude.
Since 2011, our family has marked New Year’s Day with matching T-shirts. This isn't just a fun photo op; it’s rooted in the Cuban custom of estrenar—the act of wearing something new to welcome a fresh start. See how this simple ritual has captured 15 years of our family’s story.
From the Florida Keys to the Gables and now Tallahassee, our New Year’s traditions have evolved—but the lentils, the grapes, and the memories remain. This year was a little different as we balanced a new health journey with a well-deserved "Splurge Night" at Savour. Teresa and I wish you and your family a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year.
I was just checking the Panhandle weather forecast to see when this cold snap might break, but I ended up finding something "wicked cool" instead. Colorado just opened the largest wildlife overpass in North America—a massive, one-acre "green bridge" spanning six lanes of I-25. It’s designed to save lives (both animal and human) and solve a problem most of us never even thought about: elk claustrophobia.